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Survey: Eighty Percent of Principals Satisfied With DOE Backing

"We hold our principals to a high standard, which makes it critical that we know whether they are receiving the supports and services they need to do their jobs," Chancellor Klein said.

[Education]

New York City Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today released the results of the Department of Education's fifth Principal Satisfaction Survey, administered twice per year as part of the Chancellor's commitment to improving the quality of services that the Department of Education (DOE) provides to schools.

About 86%, or 1,313, of the City's 1,532 principals responded to the anonymous online survey in November and December of 2009, rating the DOE's effectiveness in supporting schools operationally and academically. For the first time, as a result of the new State governance law, principals also rated their satisfaction with the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) and with Chancellor Klein on issues such as progress in student achievement, resources, oversight, and curriculum.

A large majority of principals continued to report that they were satisfied with the supports they receive. Levels of principalsatisfaction were consistent with rates reported in last spring's survey, while satisfaction has increased markedly in several key areas since the first survey in the fall of 2007. Overall, 80% of principals feel supported by the DOE in attaining their overall school goals, up from 71% in November 2007.

"We hold our principals to a high standard, which makes it critical that we know whether they are receiving the supports and services they need to do their jobs," Chancellor Klein said. "I'm encouraged by this year's survey results and the fact that so many of our principals responded. At the same time, the survey shows areas in which we need to do better, andI am committed to making sure we address those concerns and continue to improve the supports we provide to schools."

The Principal Satisfaction Survey addressed five main topics: the DOE's overall performance; the quality of academic services provided by school support organizations, Children First Networks, and DOE central offices; the quality of operational services provided by Integrated Service Centers, Children First Networks, and central offices regardingfacilities, food, pupil transportation, health, safety, finance, technology, family engagement, legal services, and compliance; the effectiveness of the DOE's accountability tools; and the overall performance of both the PEP and the Chancellor regarding progress in student achievement, resources, oversight, and curriculum. Participation in the survey was voluntary and responses were anonymous.

Highlights from this fall's survey results include:

[] 86% of principals (80% in April 2009; 70% in November 2007) participated in this year's survey;

[] 80% of principals (82% in April 2009; 71% in November 2007) feel supported by the DOE in attaining their overall school goals;

[] 83% of principals (84% in April 2009; 73% in November 2007) feel the DOE has helped them set clear measures of progress for student achievement;

[] 89% of principals (87% in April 2009; 73% in November 2007) are satisfied with the quality and responsiveness of support for the Achievement Reporting and Innovation System (ARIS), the DOE's online data and collaboration system; and

[] Principals continue to be satisfied with the quality of professional development (PD) in curriculum and instruction. 92% of principals (92% in April 2009; 87% in November 2007) are satisfied with English Language Arts PD; 92% of principals (91% in April 2009; 87% in November 2007) are satisfied with math PD; and 92% of principals (91% in April 2009; 86% in November 2007) are satisfied with arts PD.

Based upon the results of the survey, the DOE will begin implementing changes to improve the services and support principals receive. The Department will continue to help principals capitalize upon resources to engage families further, including translation and interpretation services and ARIS Parent Link, an online system introduced last springthat provides families with access to educational data about their children.

The DOE is also committed to answering principals' questions about student enrollment in a more timely manner and providing more tools to ensure that students are prepared for college and careers.